When we say hiking trip, a variety of visions come to mind. To some it’s a tent in the wilderness. To others, it’s sipping an ice cold beer in a plush hotel with a balcony surrounded by mountains. Ultimately, all versions of a hiking trip are possible – from hardcore camping to 5* hotels – depending on the route you take.
When we are helping clients plan for their dream hiking trip, we take into account comfort levels and expectations for accommodation.
The Tour du Mont Blanc
On some treks, like the Tour du Mont Blanc, luxury accommodations are available such as the Grand Hotel Courmayeur, with a swimming pool and turkish baths. Or, you’ve also got remote mountain huts like Rifugio Bonnati which have dormitory style bedrooms, where you share with your fellow trekkers for a unique experience!
Alta Via 1
Or, on the Alta Via 1, you’ve got options for city luxury in Geneva such as Grand Hotel Savoia. Or, when you get to Cortina in the Dolomites you’ve got picturesque views from classic European mountain style hotels (think beautiful wooden cladding and roaring fire and sauna).  You’ve also got large mountain refuges such as Rifugio Sennes, hosting up to 60 guests, or smaller ones such as Rifugio Col Gallina with just 10 rooms and up to 35 guests.
The Refuge Experience
Even if you choose a luxury accommodation experience, you will likely sleep in a refuge for at least one or two of the nights. Sometimes private rooms are available, and we can discuss this with you when you book. However, the mountain refuges are an experience not to miss!Â
There’s something super special about the camaraderie of everyone together at the dinner table in the huts, after a day on the mountains, sharing stories and tucking into a hearty meal. You meet people who you would never have imagined meeting, from all walks of life, all united by the trail and the passion for adventure.
Often people in the refuges are on the same trek, and it’s not uncommon to cross paths with the same people again at the next refuge, perhaps even continuing the trail together. It’s one of the things that makes the refuge experience so memorable.
Choosing the Right Accommodation Style
Your expectations for accommodation will shape the route you walk and the experience you have along the way. Our Chamonix-based team visit and stay in the refuges and hotels we work with, getting to know the owners, the teams and the atmosphere of each place. This first-hand experience means we can recommend the accommodation we know and love, and create the perfect itinerary for you and your mountain adventure.
Whether you dream of a hot shower and a comfortable bed, a private room overlooking the mountains, or sharing a long dinner table with fellow trekkers in a remote refuge, there’s an Alpine trek to suit you.
